AI in Design: A Symbiotic Future for Creatives

AI is still a contentious topic in the design community, with many creatives skeptical about its potential impact. However, one creative services company, Superside, is flipping the script by embracing AI to streamline the creative process and enhance human creativity.

AI at the Heart of Superside’s Operations

According to Superside’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jen Rapp, "AI is at the heart of everything we do here at Superside. We’re using AI in our client work, and it’s also helping to streamline internal processes and facilitate seamless collaboration across our organization."

AI-Powered Rebrand

Superside has recently undergone a rebrand, embracing AI in its new brand identity. "Our talented AI team has pioneered AI brand models – sophisticated prompts that include comprehensive design specifications. We can now input detailed parameters like colors, shadowing, and photography styles, generating high-quality first drafts. Our creative team then refines these designs to meet our exacting standards," Jen explains.

AI in the Creative Process

Superside is also finding AI to be a powerful tool during the creative process. "We can use tools like Leonardo.ai and Midjourney to help build storyboards and play with concepting much more freely than when the team had to do this ‘by hand’," Jen adds.

Skepticism vs. Reality

For Jen, AI skepticism is a matter of perspective. "I believe that the hesitation around AI isn’t truly about the tool’s power, but a fear of potential replacement. I encourage creatives to view AI as a multiplier. Creative demand is exponentially growing, timelines are accelerating, and the need for standout creative work is intensifying. Without AI, creative teams would be completely overwhelmed – in fact, they already are."

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI is not a replacement for human creativity, but rather a tool to enhance and amplify it. As the design landscape continues to evolve, AI will play an increasingly important role in the creative process. By embracing AI, companies like Superside are paving the way for a future where human creativity is amplified, not replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the role of AI in Superside’s operations?
A: AI is at the heart of everything we do here at Superside, from client work to internal processes and collaboration.

Q: How does Superside use AI in the creative process?
A: We use AI to generate high-quality first drafts, which our creative team then refines to meet our exacting standards.

Q: Is AI a replacement for human creativity?
A: No, AI is not a replacement for human creativity. It’s a tool to enhance and amplify it.

Q: What is the future of AI in design?
A: AI will play an increasingly important role in the creative process, enabling designers to work more efficiently and effectively.

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Making Wicked’s Frightening Flying Monkeys

When it comes to Wicked, the flying monkeys are one of the scariest elements of the film. Pablo Helman, VFX supervisor at ILM, shares the process of bringing these terrifying creatures to life.

Designing the Monkeys

To create the flying monkeys, the team at ILM started by researching the original book "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire, as well as the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz". They also drew inspiration from real-life primates, such as capuchin and rhesus macaques, to create a more realistic and menacing appearance.

In-Set Performance and Reference

To capture the movements and behavior of the flying monkeys, ILM created an animal unit consisting of 15 people who would interact with the actors on set. This allowed the VFX team to capture reference footage of the actors reacting to the monkeys, which was then used to inform the VFX.

CG Animals

To create the CG animals, ILM used a combination of techniques, including keyframe animation and motion capture. The team worked closely with director Jon M. Chu to ensure that the monkeys’ movements and behavior were consistent with the tone and style of the film.

Distinguishing Chistery from the Crowd

To make Chistery, the leader of the flying monkeys, stand out from the crowd, the team used a combination of design and performance. Chistery has a distinctive beard and a different colored iris, which sets him apart from the other monkeys.

Conclusion

The flying monkeys in Wicked are a testament to the power of innovative VFX and collaboration between performers, directors, and VFX artists. By blending research, reference, and creativity, the team at ILM was able to bring these terrifying creatures to life in a way that is both believable and terrifying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the team at ILM approach designing the flying monkeys?
A: We started by researching the original book "Wicked" and the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", as well as real-life primates, to create a more realistic and menacing appearance.

Q: How did you capture the movements and behavior of the flying monkeys?
A: We created an animal unit consisting of 15 people who would interact with the actors on set, allowing us to capture reference footage of the actors reacting to the monkeys, which we then used to inform the VFX.

Q: How did you distinguish Chistery from the crowd?
A: We used a combination of design and performance to make Chistery stand out from the crowd. He has a distinctive beard and a different colored iris, which sets him apart from the other monkeys.

The Evolution of Photoshop: A Look Back and a Look Ahead

A Brief History of Photoshop

On February 19, 1990, Adobe Photoshop was first released, revolutionizing the world of image editing. The program made image editing tools previously available only to large companies more accessible, and within a couple of years, "Photoshop" was being used as a verb. It’s remained the industry-standard tool for digital art and image manipulation ever since.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Standard

The first edition of Photoshop was released in February 1990. Since then, the program has undergone significant changes, with regular updates keeping it ahead of the competition. The addition of layers in Photoshop 3 (1994) and the Liquify filter in Photoshop 6.0 (2000) are just a few examples of the many features that have been added over the years. The integration with Adobe’s other programs has also played a crucial role in Photoshop’s success.

Staying Ahead of the Competition

Strong competition has emerged over the years, but regular updates have allowed Photoshop to remain the industry standard. The program has continued to evolve, with the addition of generative AI tools in recent updates. This is why it still tops our pick of the best digital art software.

Room for Improvement

While Photoshop remains the top choice for many, it’s not without its flaws. Everyone who has used the program will have their pet peeves, such as the subscription plan, workflow that could be faster, unsupported formats, or missing tools and features. We want to know what you think about Photoshop and what you would improve if you could change anything, no matter how big or small.

Call to Action

Whether you’re a Photoshop veteran or a new user, we want to hear from you. Let us know why you use Photoshop or why you prefer alternative software. What do you like about Photoshop, and what would you change if you could? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. If you’re new to the software, now is the perfect time to try it, with up to 40% off Adobe’s Creative Cloud All Apps plan depending on your location.

Conclusion

As Photoshop turns 35, we look back on its incredible journey and forward to its continued evolution. With its ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of digital art and image manipulation, Photoshop remains the industry standard. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions on what makes Photoshop great and what can be improved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Photoshop?
A: Photoshop is a digital image editing and manipulation software that has become the industry standard for digital art and image manipulation.

Q: When was Photoshop first released?
A: Photoshop was first released on February 19, 1990.

Q: What are some of the key features of Photoshop?
A: Some of the key features of Photoshop include layers, the Liquify filter, and generative AI tools, among others.

Q: What are some of the alternatives to Photoshop?
A: Some of the alternatives to Photoshop include GIMP, Sketch, and Affinity Photo, among others.

Design Dispute Turns Ugly: Messi and Paul Engage in Legal Battle

A Tale of Two Brands: Mas+ and Prime

Last year, legendary footballer Lionel Messi launched his drinks brand Mas+, which many claimed bore a striking resemblance to the hydration drink, Prime. While Messi’s beverage caught some shady flack from Prime’s co-founder KSI, who claimed it "looks familiar," it was Mas+ that sued Prime for “anti-competitive” behavior last October, alleging that the YouTuber-backed brand was pressuring it to change its packaging design.

The Legal Battle Escalates

Now, in the most YouTuber-turned-boxer-turned-business-mogul move possible, Prime co-founder Logan Paul has challenged the sports star to a boxing match to settle the legal woes. While Prime has countersued Mas+, Logan claims he’ll "consider dropping" the claim if the pair can settle the conflict in the ring – any excuse for a marketing opportunity, I guess.

The Design Dilemma

When Mas+ hit the shelves back in June, its similarities to Prime were hard to ignore, with its bottle designs, text composition, and color schemes bearing a striking resemblance to the popular hydration drink. While Mas+ was the first to strike out with a legal claim back in October, Prime counter-sued with claims that the design violated its trademarks.

The Unconventional Settlement

In a TikTok video, Logan called out the football legend, claiming "You guys copied us and everybody saw it. […] That’s why we countersued, obviously we were going to. If you can’t beat the best, you have to be the best, but that’s illegal, that’s our design and we’re defending ourselves."

Always poised for a golden marketing opportunity, Logan went on to suggest an unconventional settlement, swapping the courtroom for the ring. "All jokes aside, I will consider dropping this if Logan Paul vs Messi [happens in] 2025. I’ll see you in the ring, brother,” he claimed.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen whether the dueling duo will take to the ring, but Logan Paul’s dedication to turning even the most serious design disputes into golden marketing opportunities is (regretfully) commendable. This isn’t the first time the brand has been in a legal dispute – last year the Olympic committee sued Prime over its packaging design (although matters seemed to be settled conventionally).

FAQs

Q: What is the main issue between Mas+ and Prime?
A: The main issue is the alleged similarities in design between the two brands, with Mas+ claiming Prime is pressuring it to change its packaging design.

Q: Is this the first time Prime has been in a legal dispute?
A: No, last year the Olympic committee sued Prime over its packaging design, although the matter was reportedly settled conventionally.

Q: Will the boxing match between Messi and Paul actually happen?
A: It’s unclear, but Logan Paul has expressed his willingness to settle the conflict in the ring, and Messi has yet to respond to the challenge.